\/\/\/\/\/\- The Official MSI GT60-2OD Owner's Lounge -/\/\/\/\/\/

When not gaming the fans are extremely quiet, temps average about 40 on the CPU and GPU. I decided to see if the temps were still going to be very high today so I tried playing a little bit of Blacklight and I didn't go above 75. Gonna try SimCity now since that is what my temps went crazy on in the first place. If they still sit pretty in the 70s/low 80's, I'll be very perplexed as to what the issue was and why it is now resolved.

 

Thank god for this thread. I just got this laptop today and it was a damned mission to find the drivers on MSI's site. If it weren't for you guys, I'd never have found them.

 

Today i did the fan swap to T&T one and i have to say... what a difference... the nstech fan of my laptop was not bad, and it was "silent" at low speeds, but is now even better, and the temperatures, i don't see a difference, same 90-93C without turbo fan and 70-72C with turbofan, same results than the nstech fan i have...
I think im going to stick with this fan and save the original part for when i am going to sell this laptop and not do the frankenstein fan mod...

 

Glad to hear no difference in temps. I'll have my T&T soon (Can't wait to be honest). I've had nothing but grief with these NSTech fans. Two of them, both noisey, ones with different types of noises I give up. So many people seem to have noisy ones. The quality of them is pretty poor. Considering I've had a 100% failure rate in quality control.

 

About the noisy fans : I wanna say it really depends on your luck because my first GT60 made the dead mouse sound even when I was googling.

I decided (and now, I admit it was not the right solution), to ask for a RMA number. I got a 2nd one, completely noiseless. I opened my beast, and it was a NSTECH.
Just to let you know, for the future purchasers of this beast, that not all of the NSTECH fans make the noise. Maybe most of them do it, but I'm really happy with mine today

 

Yep down to luck I guess.

New Nvidia beta driver out today. 326.58 NVIDIA BETA DRIVER 326.58 AND LINUX DRIVER 325.05.03 - News - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

Wonder if it has that memory leak issue fixed now. I will test it today.

 

Do we still need to modify the signature stuff with the inf ?

I'd like to test them either, but last time I lost so much time, I just reinstalled the stock ones

 

Yes, probably one of the batches are noisy and after that are somewhat silent fans...

 

It is not official from NVidia website, I won’t bother if I was you... I am quite happy with 326.41 beta + it's installed straight away, no modification required.

 

Is the nvidia surround a modifiable parameter in those beta you have? I will consider installing them.

 

Please elaborate?! If you are talking about the external HDMI audio port, yes it is still working...

 

One question guys...
Do you guys know if the headset amplifier of this notebook can handle a headset with 250ohm impendance? I am likely wanting to replace my PC360 with a Beyerdinamic DT770 with 250Ohms

 

Thx mate for the info, but have you seen any performance improvement with them ? I'm running the stock ones...

 

I don't know if the 326.41 beta drivers are working ok for me. When I try to play Crysis, it constantly crash to desktop and it's very annoying cause I can't progress story at all. In crysis 2, I have something similar going on, with Direct X 11 activated, the screen randomly starts flickering and end with a crash or black screen.

None of this happen with another game, only with those ( I have tried MSI afterburner, hybrid power, nvidia inspector, etc all on and off).

 

What happens with other drivers?

 

Oh sorry, I mean for 4 monitor setup. I am working on setting up a triple monitor (external) to use it for gaming, as this machine is supposed to support Nvidia Surround 2D/3D which is what they call their multiple monitor gaming. My third monitor hasn't arrived so it doesn't work yet. It seems HDMI, Display port and VGA are all routed through the gpu while the HD4600 has control on the main display.

In the phyxs tab on the nvidia control panel its also mentioned nvidia surround, you need to configure it but no choices appear to me, presumably because I only have 2 external plus 1 internal.

pic!

No I don't work for hawken people

 

Looks good Ryzeki. I am looking forward to finally getting a new place in a couple weeks that should be semi permanent, at least for a few years before I decide to buy a place. I am looking forward to having a desk and office again, and I will be able to setup a desktop monitor, and am thinking about getting a few and linking them together. Also didn't know about Hawken. Thanks for the tip/advertisement haha. I will have to check that out.

 

Hey Talon, how well does the 4900MQ overclock in XTU. Whats your max stable OC now that new bios allows XTU to stick with v4.1?

 

If you're getting the Beyers better stick to a dedicated DAC. The amplifier can drive them but only up to 60%. I mean 60% of the power you would get from a DAC.

 

I'm having the same issue now, it will reach 93-94 degrees, usually averaging around 91 while gaming even with the turbofan on. Frustrating part is that it was repasted with the IC Diamond by Gentech pc, so I wouldn't think it's a bad paste job. Not sure what the issue is.

 

One other question. Sorry if I'm double posting (it's hard to tell when you have to wait for posts to be approved )

About the warranty, can I just take a picture of the serial sticker that came on the box, or do I have to cut a hole in the box? And if I *do* have to cut it, which one did you guys choose? The inner "Top Choice" box, or the standard MSI box that holding that one? I'd try just peeling off one of the stickers, but I'm pretty sure it'd tear which would defeat the purpose. Sorry for bothering you guys with such a dumb question. :x

Great laptop though, and I'm enjoying it aside from the speaker issue I mentioned above.

 

Thanks... so i guess i'll have to pay more to get lower impendance version...

 

If you are getting such temps after repasting then most likely something went wrong there. Maybe the heatsink was not properly seated when assembled. Contact Ken to let them know. You should definitely consider it.

On a side note, anyone have been reading the ASIC "Quality" from their GPUs?

 

Maybe Fan RPMs are much lower than they should be? Faulty fan motor or EC?

Also I've noticed that on the newest bios hybrid mode is being used more? Its kinda worrying, its going to kill the battery if its constantly using it. I would remove it. But having raid0, the battery is a UPS for me of course. Maybe because I'm running 1440p in games that its using hybrid.. I will test that too.

 

Mine is 71.3%. I do not know if that's good or bad... I also do not know how 'updated' is their GPU-Z according to the GPU list...

 

@kpablo

When I do audio editing on my GT60 I plug my Fiio Andes E07K USB DAC. Paired with the Audio Tecnica M50s I get some impressive quality results.

Amazon.com: Fiio E07K Andes USB DAC and Portable Headphone Amplifier Black: Electronics

For that price you will do yourself a favor
Also check this if interested:

Amazon.com: Beyerdynamic AMS-DT-990-Pro-250 Professional Acoustically Open Headphones for Monitoring and Studio Applications: Musical Instruments

@juliant

Mine reports 71% so pretty in line with others. That is because desktop GPUs get priority over mobile counter-parts. The 780m is closer (90%) to a GTX670 but if you compare ASIC qualities, you'll notice that the GTX670 scores higher.

@Hendrickson

Yep the new BIOS does rise the power ceiling of the EC. If the PSU can't provide that more power, where do you think it will get it?
Also your gaming resolution does put a bit of a strain on the 780m. Are you using it with turbofan on? At what clocks?

@Sneaky022

You should reseat the heatsink as per ryzeki's advice. Also try something: before you reseat the heatsink, play a bit with a demanding game so to heat up your GPU. Next open the notebook and once you removed the GPU heatsink, check which part is the hottest. If its the upper part (the VRMs if you know what I'm talking about) then contact Ken. There's a current leakage straining the card's power regulators (nothing you can do about it, just replace the card). If its the GPU core the hottest part then a reseat and a better paste spreading will solve your problem.

 

Well, I will tell you my GX660R had the same battery and lasted me 3 years, with over 1100 full charges. Since I am a field engineer I sometimes fully charged it up to 3 times a single day (it lasted between 2 to 3 hours originally, and when you work 10-14 hours on remote places... yeah.) After a year I lost around 25% wear, the second year It had 45% wear and before it died it had 55% wear.

I haven't noticed much usage from mine. I am using my CPU undervolted and my GPU on stock turbo for now since I don't need the overclock for gaming in most games.

 

Oh my current ASIC quality is 72.9%. My original GTX680m (the one that died) had around 65% and the replacement had 93% eek which coincidentaly ran much cooler.

 

Thats a lot of charges. I've noticed mine dropped to 96% again and started charging it yet again.

Trust me running at 2560 x 1440p hybrid is used all the time almost. I'm running a small OC to help at that res to keep me at 60fps in Chivary. 780M handles it extremely well. Good idea on the CPU undervolting. I haven't been doing that since I got the system back. Maybe that will free up some watts and stop the battery use a bit. Time to test it out.


My ASIC is 72.3% btw Seems were all around the same figure.

 

It is fine.
Higher ASIC % numbers mean better quality silicon, it means it has less electrical leakege, it is cooler, default voltage is lower, overclocking possibilities are higher (or get better overclock with less voltages modding). Mine is 73%.

I think around 70% is what most of the user will get. And is a fine number for everyday uses.

 

Oh nice! Thanks for giving me options...
And yeah i saw that DT990... but i was worried about being AMS (for monitoring & studio application) so i tought it would not be for common uses...

I think i will go to what you have recommended

 

Yeah i was surprised too by the amount of charges too hahaha

Yeah i believe you and using a small oc is already borderline requiring the battery permanently. I played dead space 3 a bit then a match of LoL and i remained at the same % unlike when i oc to 980/2900 which drained considerably

 

Hi guys - I'm new to this thread and have my MSI GT60 026 for about over a month now. The NSTECH fan I have now is starting to get noisier and noisier at idle. If I RMA this with MSI can they just send me a new fan? or am I better off trying to find and buy a T&T fan? Just wondering if its a waste of time sending the laptop in to MSI....worried it will take forever for them to send it back to me and I'll end up with the same problem. Besides this issue - its a great laptop!

 

You are far better off just replacing the fan at your own expense IMO. Think about the cost the time it will take to send the laptop back to MSI. Shipping alone will be pricey, and then the time without the laptop. If I were you, I would get in contact with majestermsi here on the forums. Or look him up in the marketplace under computer components. He sells the fan in those forums. I think around $45 US.

It says TT fan in the picture. Maybe contact the seller first?
MSI GT60 GT70 Series Laptop Fan B9733L12B 028 E330800182MC200C Genuine | eBay

Also as a reference, I have the NS Tech fan and its silent. I think its hit and miss on quality with that brand.

 

How hit and miss are the fans? It sounds like a few people had problems with them.

I'm thinking of ordering the GE60 2OE-073US (770m) from Xotic. I'm looking for low-mid 30s for idle and light gaming noise. My current MSI (780DX) hits 40 when browsing. (Higher then I thought it was)

Notebookcheck put this at 35db. Is the GPU easy to upgrade or stuck in there?

Other options were the Clevos (though I've heard complaints about the fans whirring randomly) or seeing if the Asus' can be upgraded.

 

MSI told me to send them the notebook. About a 50 euro cost for me. And likely be with them for weeks. And they will not let you swap it yourself. At least MSI EU they said no.

Like Talon said, replace it yourself.

MSI support failed on this front for me. Same with the Blu ray issue. Had to fix at my own cost as posting the GT60 costs more than the replacement part!

 

double posted somehow! (Please delete)

 

You can contact majster msi http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=445719 (you need to post atleast 5 times in order to be able to send a PM - private message). The reason I recommend him is because I bought quite a few things from him, he is very reliable and ships in a flash + I got things from Europe (where he is) to Canada in ~ 4-5 days.

He has posted at # 1483 http://forum.notebookreview.com/msi/719029-official-msi-gt60-2od-owners-lounge-149.html, that he has the NSTECH fans and he tried them, but there are no issues with them. I do recommend if you are getting a silent NSTECH fan to buy them over the T&T due to the power (There is difference in the amperage), the NSTECH has more RPM.

 

New drivers are out from team green. Installed them this morning with no issues at all. They seem to be very stable and are running great for me so far. Also my 3dmark11 score shot up about 100pts.

64bit Beta 326.58 Driver

Thanks for Sasuke256 for posting these.

 

@Talon thanks. Will try those drivers. 326.41 beta lowered my 3dmark11 score by about 300 points! But in games is smooth and stable which is what really matters.

P.S I asked back some posts ago about your 4900MQ. Whats your max 100% stable OC in XTU?

 

O hey sorry for not getting back to you on that. I usually have it set to 40x for all cores with stock power settings. Its 100% stable at those settings. I can OC higher, but in order to get fully stable I have to start to bump up power. Also because of the bios design to use battery power, it seems like the system doesn't want to even use these OC fully. When loaded it will throttle down to lower clocks.

For example, @ stock during BF3, the CPU will stay at 3.6ghz all day. When OC to 40x, the CPU will stay at 3.6ghz, fluctuating to 4.0ghz on different cores randomly. Its like it doesn't want to keep the high clocks or can't. I still haven't been able to decide if its because the bios is fighting XTU, or if its because it can't support the clocks due to power requirements,or if I simply haven't given it enough juice via XTU.

With XTU now working with the new bios, I feel like progress is being made, but still need MSI to release a bios that allows us to use larger PSU. At the moment my 240watt Dell PSU can't be used fully and doesn't make any measurable difference. It will still throttle back when loaded.

Funny thing is that when I used my 4700MQ and OC via XTU, I was able to OC to 34x on all cores, and it held those clocks perfectly in BF3 all day.

Honestly if I'm never able to fully get to utilize the 6 unlocked turbo bins of my 4900MQ it won't be worth having. A 4800MQ would have been a better choice. I guess only time will tell.

 

Just play BF3 for about 1 hour. When I entered the game battery was at 97%. When I came out it was at 79%. Weird? I've never had my battery drain down so much playing any games. Maybe something weird with these drivers? But the game play was super smooth and I think I was getting my highest frames yet. Does anyone else have their battery drain like that during games? The most I've seen before was a few percentage drop over an hour or so.

 

That's quite the impressive drop! I've seen a few percent drop over a game or two while paying attention, but no where near that much! What OC settings were you using, either on CPU or GPU?

EDIT: Was curious, so just loaded up BF3 and played 2 full rounds, took about 45 minutes... was running a +100/+250 OC on the GPU and the CPU at 36x. Started at 100% and ended with 99% when returning to desktop. I do lock the framerate at 59fps (with the OC it never fluctuates) however, which does lower the GPU usage to typically 70-90% instead of 95%+ with it set to unlimited. For what it's worth screen brightness was full, sound was cranking, and keyboard backlight was on This is still using 320.49's.

EDIT 2: Also, I am using the latest EC flash, but the original BIOS.... haven't taken the time to update yet, and I think it does change power draw from what I've read. I'm assuming you are on the latest BIOS and this is using your 240w?

 

Yes I posted earlier about that happening to me. But it was more like 10% per hour or less. Not almost 30% But i'm also running 1440p and a slight OC. 2560 x 1440 really pushes the 780M too.

Thanks for the info on the 4900MQ. Is it an OEM? Or is it an ES sampls. ES/QS samples sometimes throttle and do odd things too. I might be able to get hold of a 4900MQ and test it out and see if I get the same results. More on that later if i can get hold of one.

Installed the new 326.58 drivers. Will let you know the result of hybrid battery drain.

 

Anybody mind explaining how to flash the newest BIOs? It doesn't seem to come with any sort of README file.

 

Go to the downloads page where you dowloaded the BIOS file and you'll see above it a box that says ATTENTION and then WINDOWS 8... there's a link there with instructions.

http://www.msi.com/product/nb/GT60-2OD.html#download
http://www.msi.com/files/pdf/Win8_UEFI_BIOS_Update_auto_en.pdf

Good luck, keep us posted on the results

 

@Hendrickson I have a Retail Box 4900MQ CPU purchased from here...
Search Results for 4900mq

Not sure why the tray version is more $$. Mine comes with standard 3 year warranty from Intel. Tray CPU has no warranty coverage. I think they have their pricing messed up a bit haha. This is the cheapest price I have found anywhere. Some people are selling QS on ebay for 560$++ and some retail for 900$! Ridiculous!

I was stock CPU/GPU clocks. I don't overclock GPU in games as there is no need YET IMO. Only for benching do I OC GPU. CPU OC isn't done because of reasons I listed above. Hybrid power was left closed.

Latest bios version from MSI website, and stock EC version (the silent one).
GPU Vbios is also stock

Bah Be77solo beat me to it!

 

Still had my twitchy fingers on the mouse and keyboard after the BF3 rounds ha... still love that game :thumbsup:

I am using the TechInferno vBios, but that test above was at stock voltage and OC mentioned... I agree, the overclock is definitely not needed at all, but it does seem to eliminate the occasional 5-10fps dips to give a locked 59/60fps for V-sync or Frame rate limiter.

 

I did see that bootable flash drive guide, but I've never had to flash my BIOs that way previously (typically use WinFlash or some similar program provided in the BIOs download). Is the flash drive method the only way MSI provides?

 

Only the 3k edition can do this AFAIK.

On the standard models the HDMI and DP are connected to the dGPU but the VGA is connected to the IGP.